CVE-2026-84560 Overview
CVE-2026-84560 is an authorization vulnerability across Apple's operating system family that allows a local application to gain unauthorized access to Bluetooth. Apple addressed the issue with improved state management in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27. The weakness is categorized under CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization and requires local access with low privileges to exploit.
Critical Impact
An installed application can bypass Bluetooth authorization checks and interact with the Bluetooth subsystem without user consent, exposing paired devices and radio communications to unauthorized apps.
Affected Products
- Apple iOS and iPadOS (versions prior to 27)
- Apple macOS (versions prior to Golden Gate 27)
- Apple tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS (versions prior to 27)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-14 - CVE-2026-84560 published to NVD
- 2026-09-16 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-84560
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in how Apple's operating systems manage the authorization state for Bluetooth access requests. The system fails to consistently validate whether an application currently holds permission to use Bluetooth. This inconsistency lets an app reach Bluetooth functionality that Apple's privacy model normally gates behind an explicit user consent prompt.
Bluetooth access is a privacy-sensitive capability on Apple platforms. Applications must declare intent and receive user approval before interacting with the Bluetooth stack. When authorization state is not enforced correctly, the boundary between consented and non-consented apps collapses. Attackers who ship a malicious or trojanized app can then scan for nearby devices, enumerate paired peripherals, or interact with Bluetooth Low Energy services.
Apple's advisory states the fix was implemented through improved state management, indicating the underlying issue was a stateful check that could be reached in a condition where authorization had not been granted or had been revoked.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper enforcement of authorization state within the Bluetooth permission handling logic. The affected code path did not correctly track or verify the current authorization decision for a requesting process. This maps to CWE-863, where an actor is granted access to a resource for which authorization was not properly checked.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a local application running on the target device. An attacker must convince a user to install a crafted app, or compromise an existing app on the system. Once running, the app invokes Bluetooth APIs and reaches functionality it should not be permitted to use. No user interaction is required beyond initial app installation, and no elevated privileges are needed beyond the standard application sandbox.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
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Stop Identity AttacksDetection Methods for CVE-2026-84560
Indicators of Compromise
- Applications generating Bluetooth activity without a corresponding user-facing consent prompt or entry in privacy settings.
- Unexpected Bluetooth scanning, pairing attempts, or connections to peripherals initiated by non-Bluetooth-focused applications.
- Apps requesting Bluetooth-adjacent entitlements while lacking a legitimate business function for wireless communication.
Detection Strategies
- Audit installed applications on managed Apple devices and correlate declared Bluetooth usage with the app's stated purpose.
- Review Mobile Device Management (MDM) telemetry for apps that access CoreBluetooth APIs outside expected baselines.
- Monitor system logs on macOS for bluetoothd events tied to processes that lack Bluetooth authorization records.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track OS version compliance across the Apple fleet to identify devices still running versions prior to the 27-series updates.
- Alert on new application installations from outside the App Store on macOS, particularly those requesting Bluetooth entitlements.
- Establish a baseline of normal Bluetooth peripheral pairings per user and investigate deviations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-84560
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade affected devices to iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, or watchOS 27.
- Push the updates through MDM policies to enforce timely deployment across managed endpoints.
- Review installed third-party applications and remove those that are unmaintained or unnecessary.
Patch Information
Apple published fixes in the following security updates: Apple Security Update 149034, Apple Security Update 149035, Apple Security Update 149036, Apple Security Update 149037, and Apple Security Update 149038. The remediation improves state management within the Bluetooth authorization logic to ensure permission checks are enforced consistently.
Workarounds
- Disable Bluetooth on devices that do not require it until patches are applied.
- Restrict application installation to vetted sources and enforce app allowlists via MDM where feasible.
- Revoke Bluetooth permissions for applications that do not require the capability under Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
